As you might have guessed, most of the cars in the display are the big three stamped from the Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation: a 1936 Ford sedan; a 1960 Ford Thunderbird; and a 1966 Lincoln Continental convertible. The backstory of these vehicles has been well documented, as well as the history of the fourth car included in the display: a 1981 De Lorean. According to the CAAV, this particular De Lorean is the very first production car to have left the assembly plant in Northern Ireland.

The stainless steel collection will be housed and available for viewing at the ACD Museum through the fall of 2012.

They are fully funcrioning cars. The DeLorean is stainless covered, not structural. As I remember the Lincoln, it sported 1967 grille and taillamps. Probably upholstery too, or I would have noted that, but I havn’t seen it in 20 or so years. Possibly updated for showcar life…

The only way to build a car. Just replace the wearing parts. The body stays with Your family as long as Your family tree grows. It’s like a ‘Data’-android as car.
About 40 years ago (don’t beat me on that) Porsche unveiled a Stainless Porsche Carrera and as much as I know, it’s still sitting in the ‘Deutsches Museum’ in Munich.
Since the first day I saw this stainless beauty, I was deeply in love with her. Unfortunately though I haven’t been able to come up with the several Millions of Dollars to get it.

Even better, I have a titanium alloy wheelchair. Minor scuffs are easily fixed with a Scotch-brite; small gouges with steel wool, followed by a Scotch-brite. Big gouges, start with sandpaper. Normal use yields a nice slightly shiny patina. Never rusts, never tarnishes. Costs more than SS, but I think it is lighter. Wish I could figure how to get it into the back of a Corvette…….traded mine in for a minivan a few yrs ago.

The John Heinz Regional History Center in Pittsburgh has one of the 1936 Fords on display, on loan I believe from Allegheny-Ludlum. From what I recall, there were 6 of those made, but only 3 each of the T-Birds and Continentals.

BIG FOUR !! BIG FOUR (4), before 1986 they were known as the big four not the big three. Am I the only person that can remember the 1980′s? When I read an article on classic cars or watch a silly classic car show on sunday and hear “the big three automakers” my attention shuts right down becaues I know these jokers don’t know what there talk’n about.

I’ve read a few articles on these stainless cars that says the body dies were ruined by stamping the stainless stell panels. Can anyone explain why this is the case?
I’m guessing it’s something to do with the hardness of the stainless steel, but stock body carbon steel wouldn’t be that much weaker, would it?
Or is the stainless steel sheet used thicker than the gauge of steel normally used on auto bodies?
Any clarification on this would be appreciated.